Kalpana team weighing up Prince of Wales’s or Hardwicke
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Wed 3 Jun 2026
Connections of the Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana have still not decided whether she will run in a stellar renewal of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes or the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.
With the likes of Ombudsman, Daryz and Almaqam all in line for the Prince of Wales’s, Kalpana may go for the Group Two over her favoured 12 furlongs in the Hardwicke.
However, if the ground was on the softer side Balding and owners Juddmonte would not be afraid to throw her in against some of the best horses in the world.
“We’re pointing towards Royal Ascot and whether that will be the Prince of Wales’s Stakes or the Hardwicke we’re still to make up our minds and we’ll probably decide the week before Ascot,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.
“She’s come out of Newbury in great form and is very much on track for the meeting. We’ll keep an eye on conditions and if the ground was to come up on the soft side we would be swinging a little bit more towards the 10-furlong race and then obviously if it’s typical Ascot and good or better the other one.
“Every race at Royal Ascot is top-class and none are easy so both races will be tough and you would imagine the ground is going to be typical, good fast ground but we’re in the first week of June and might be looking at a Derby on soft ground so you never know.”
Kalpana is already twice a winner at Ascot on Champions Day and returned this season with a comfortable win at Newbury.
“With them fillies it’s all about confidence and when they get their head in front it gives them confidence,” continued Mahon.
“We knew going into the race she was a bit short of fitness so she’s naturally going to come forward for that and she’s in good form.
“She’s found her head in front her last two races now which is good and we know she has a definite affinity to Ascot so hopefully she can bring that to the Royal meeting.”
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